First Boat

[Natlight]

I just bought my first boat. :woohoo1: I spent the last couple of hours looking through this boating thread and have a question. The boat is a 1979 mirrocraft aluminum with an 1980 or 81 Johnson 2 cycle 50 horse. My question is, can I just throw some pails over the side or a drift sock and use this motor to troll? Is this a crazy idea :dizzy: for this type of motor? I do plan on getting a bow mount motor in the near future, but was wondering if it was possible to use the motor I have for the meantime. When it comes to boating, I'm a complete novice.:yikes: :yikes: :help:

[Rodbuster]

Depends on how slow of a trolling speed you are looking for. I would bet you can get down to atleast 2 m.p.h. with that motor without anydrift socks. If you are going after a slow troll like 1-1.5 then yes a bucket out each side will work in place of drift socks. Just make sure you tie them atleast half way up the sides of your boat as you will need 8' or so of rope out, this way you don't get them around your outboard.

Good luck, Steve

[Natlight]

Depends on how slow of a trolling speed you are looking for. I would bet you can get down to atleast 2 m.p.h. with that motor without anydrift socks. If you are going after a slow troll like 1-1.5 then yes a bucket out each side will work in place of drift socks. Just make sure you tie them atleast half way up the sides of your boat as you will need 8' or so of rope out, this way you don't get them around your outboard.

Good luck, Steve

Thanks. Can I ruin a 2 cycle motor by slowing it way down?

[kroppe]

Congrats on your new boat! What type of fishing will you be doing, where you will be trolling? In my opinion you won't hurt your motor trolling slowly. Keep an eye on the plugs after every few runs to see if they are getting oiled up.

[Natlight]

I live in Eastpointe, so LSC and the detroit river. I don't know how much trolling i'll do, but it's good to know I can.:cwm27:

[FishTales]

You didn't say what size the boat is. I knew a guy that had a 40 on a 16 ft Mirrocraft, not a real heavy boat and he could troll all day with it.
You shouldln't have a problem slowing it down, you already have the oil mixed so it won't be a lubrication problem.
I have a 75 - 4 stroke and was told mfg specs are 800 rpm at idle.
Needless to say, I can't troll for eye's unless i'm dragging bags or buckets.
Rich

[The Whale]

I just sold a 16' Sportcraft that had a 115hp 'rude on it. To troll, I needed to drag 3 -5 gal. buckets. Each bucket dropped the speed down .5mph. With the three out I averaged 1.0mph and could troll that way for several hours without any trouble at all. When I would pull the gear and throttle up, the 'rude would clear itself within 10 seconds and run like a champ. Used this set up for three years and never had a problem whatsoever. ;) :cool: :fish2:

[Natlight]

You didn't say what size the boat is. .

Whoops, Sorry. 16 foot, 64 inch beam.:cool:

[steelers fan]

I dont know about trolling speed but with a 50 hp motor an a 14' aluminum boat your going to haul as$...be careful!!!